Tobacco use has a strong history in the United States, and it isn’t going away any time soon. With around 34 million Americans currently smoking cigarettes, we have to ask: why? There are so many better alternatives out there that are, if not safer, far more enjoyable.
Well, it’s all about finding the right products for your needs. Luckily, we can help you out. Let’s talk about the best types of tobacco products on the market in Michigan so you can see which is right for you!
E-Cigarettes or Heat-Not-Burn Tobacco
E-cigarettes or vapes are the most recent alternative to tobacco products, but some still use tobacco directly. Vapes that use e-liquids typically use synthetic nicotine, but some “dry vapes” can use tobacco directly. If you’re trying to kill your smoking or tobacco habits, you can always use e-cigarettes for smokeless tobacco or nicotine products!
Similar to so-called “dry vapes”, heat-not-burn tobacco products are smokeless tobacco products that mimic the feel and taste of cigarettes without burning them. The heat releases nicotine but avoids some of the more harmful carcinogens found in cigarette smoke.
This way, you heat, not burn, tobacco, which is safer for your lungs and throat. It also tastes a lot better, as you aren’t inhaling burnt plants, allowing you to enjoy the natural flavor of the tobacco. If you’re going to “smoke” a cigarette, this is likely the safest way to do it.
Chewing Tobacco
Did you know that 5.7 million Americans chew tobacco? Chewing tobacco is a great way to absorb nicotine without damaging your lungs. While it may come with its own risks to your oral health, it is smokeless tobacco that you keep in your mouth to absorb nicotine.
These can come in many great flavors, but the more natural, the better! Try sticking to more reputable tobacco brands for chewing tobacco.
Another popular method that’s relatively new is called “snus.” Snus is a form of smokeless tobacco that comes in a “tea bag” that you can hold in your lip or between your teeth and cheeks for long-lasting flavor and nicotine absorption without having to chew.
Pipe Tobacco
Pipe tobacco is the same as rolling tobacco, but it’s cut into thicker strips to allow for safe use in a pipe. It’s also usually in a “raw” form, compared to cigarette tobacco, meaning that it’s more natural and contains fewer additives.
If you want to smoke more natural tobacco out of a pipe, water pipe, or hookah, then pipe tobacco is the best way to minimize your losses. If the cuts are too small, they will pull right through, either into the water, or in your mouth. Ouch!
Also, pipe tobacco tends to have more moisture, which means that it burns more slowly than cigarette tobacco. If you like to enjoy the natural taste of tobacco without filters or alterations, pipe tobacco is the way to go!
Hookah Tobacco (Shisha)
Hookah tobacco is typically just as moist and natural as pipe tobacco, but there is one key difference: flavor. Shisha is a type of flavored hookah tobacco. It’s kept moist by a thick layer of flavoring that could taste like:
- Coconut
- Blueberry
- Strawberry
- Mint
- Watermelon
- Chocolate
The list goes on for a very long time. You can get whatever flavors you want, much like in an e-cigarette. However, it is natural tobacco with natural nicotine, with no synthetic additives other than for flavor.
Traditionally, shisha is burned with a hot piece of coal through a thin layer of metal with holes in it (often even aluminum foil), and the smoke is passed through water before entering a hose to the smoker’s mouth. Like a vape, this slowly cooks the tobacco instead of directly burning it.
As a result, one hookah session can carry up to 200 times the volume of smoke and nicotine found in one cigarette. For this reason, hookahs are typically used in groups, so try to use different mouthpieces if possible!
Cigars and Cigarillos
Cigars, mini cigars, and cigarillos are another fancy way to enjoy the fresh taste of tobacco. You aren’t supposed to inhale unfiltered cigar smoke into your lungs for health reasons, which is why cigarillos have become so popular.
Cigarillos come in the shape of cigarettes, but they use cigar tobacco and their papers are incredibly slow-burning. This carries a similar taste to that of a cigar, but with the easy use, filter, and shape of a cigarette!
Moreover, cigars and mini cigars are perfect for special occasions, as they taste great. You can find tobacco grown all around the world with all types of different styles, making for a unique taste every time. Generally, the ones wrapped in a natural tobacco leaf are the safest to use.
Once again, just make sure you go to a reputable shop in Michigan. Cigars and cigarillos have not been subject to as many regulations and restrictions in recent years, relative to vaping and newer products. Just make sure you’re getting the best of the best!
Choose the Best Tobacco Products
Now that you know some of the best types of tobacco products on the market, let’s ditch old-school cigarettes and choose a better alternative. The sooner you do, the sooner you can enjoy tobacco the way it was meant to be enjoyed.
Stay up to date with our latest tobacco tips, and don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions or for help finding the right products for your needs!